Role of microtubule architecture in mechanotransduction

Mechanotransduction is the process by which cells sense mechanical cues, such as extracellular matrix stiffness or shape constraints, and convert them into biochemical signals that influence cell behavior and identity. YAP and TAZ are key transcriptional co-activators that respond to these cues, localizing to the nucleus in mechanically active (mechano-ON) cells and remaining cytoplasmic in inactive (mechano-OFF) states. While actin dynamics are known to regulate YAP/TAZ, the role of microtubules (MTs) remains poorly understood. This project aims to investigate whether MT's architecture under different mechanical conditions influences YAP/TAZ subcellular localization and activity, using both correlative imaging and functional perturbation approaches.